Magazine Adapter for a Paintball Gun

ABSTRACT

One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a paintball gun. The paintball gun is configured to be attached to a feed elbow at a first location on the paintball gun. The illustrative system also includes a paintball magazine. The illustrative system further includes a converter. The converter is configured to be attached with the paintball magazine. The converter is also configured to be attached with the paintball gun at the first location. When the converter is attached with the paintball gun at the first location, the paintball magazine is attached with the converter, and the paintball gun is operational, the paintball magazine is at least substantially parallel with a barrel of the paintball gun.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/932,229, entitled “Magazine Adapter for Tippmann Paintball Guns,” filed Jan. 27, 2014, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/987,704, entitled “Magazine Adapter for a Paintball Gun,” filed May 2, 2014, the entirety of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun. Embodiments also relate to devices, systems, and methods for a magazine-fed paintball gun.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, a hopper has been used to feed paintballs into a paintball gun.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide devices, systems, and methods for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun. Embodiments provide devices, systems, and methods for a magazine-fed paintball gun.

In embodiments, a system comprises a paintball gun, a paintball magazine, and a converter. In one embodiment, the paintball gun is configured to be attached with a feed elbow at a first location on the paintball gun. In an embodiment, a paintball magazine is configured to hold a plurality of paintballs. The converter can be configured to be attached with the paintball magazine. The converter may be configured to be attached with the paintball gun at the first location. In one embodiment, when the converter is attached with the paintball gun at the first location, the paintball magazine is attached with the converter, and the paintball gun is operational, then the paintball magazine is at least substantially parallel with a barrel of the paintball gun.

In an embodiment, the paintball gun is configured to be attached with a paintball hopper through the feed elbow. In one embodiment, when the paintball gun is attached with the feed elbow at the first location on the paintball gun, the paintball hopper is attached to the paintball gun through the feed elbow, and the paintball gun is operational, then the paintball gun is configured to receive at least one paintball from the hopper through the feed elbow. In an embodiment, when the converter is attached with the paintball gun at the first location, the paintball magazine is attached with the converter, and the paintball gun is operational, then the paintball gun is configured to receive at least one paintball from the paintball magazine through the converter.

In one embodiment, a first overall width of the paintball gun when the converter is attached with the paintball gun at the first location, the paintball magazine is attached with the converter, and the paintball gun is operational is less than three inches wider than a second overall width of the paintball gun when the converter is not attached to the paintball gun at the first location. In an embodiment, a first overall height of the paintball gun when the converter is attached with the paintball gun at the first location, the paintball magazine is attached with the converter, and the paintball gun is operational is less than two inches taller than a second overall height of the paintball gun when the converter is not attached to the paintball gun at the first location. In one embodiment, the paintball gun comprises a trigger. In embodiments, a first distance between a bottom of the trigger and a top of the paintball magazine when the converter is attached with the paintball gun at the first location, the paintball magazine is attached with the converter, and the paintball gun is operational is less than two inches different than a second distance between the bottom of the trigger and a top of the barrel.

In an embodiment, a first geometric plane corresponding to the barrel does not intersect with a second geometric plane corresponding to the paintball magazine when the converter is attached with the paintball gun at the first location, the paintball magazine is attached with the converter, and the paintball gun is operational. In one embodiment, the converter is configured such that the paintball magazine is angled within twenty-five degrees relative to the barrel when the converter is attached with the paintball gun at the first location, the paintball magazine is attached with the converter, and the paintball gun is operational.

In an embodiment, the converter comprises a receptacle, the receptacle configured to receive at least part of the paintball magazine. In one embodiment, the converter comprises a latch and at least two pins, the latch and the at least two pins configured to attach the converter with the paintball gun.

In one embodiment, a device comprises a first component and a second component. The first component can be configured for attaching the device with a compatible paintball gun. The second component may be configured for attaching the device with a compatible paintball magazine. In one embodiment, when the compatible paintball gun and the compatible paintball machine are attached with the device and the compatible paintball gun is operational, the compatible paintball machine is at least substantially parallel to a barrel of the compatible paintball gun. In an embodiment, the first component comprises at least one of a bolt or a screw for attaching the device with the compatible paintball gun. In one embodiment, the first component comprises a latch for attaching the device with the compatible paintball gun. In an embodiment, the first component comprises at least one pin for attaching the device with the compatible paintball gun. In one embodiment, the latch is integrated into the first component. In an embodiment, the latch is detachable from the first component.

In one embodiment, the first component comprises at least one pin for attaching the device with the compatible paintball gun. In an embodiment, the first component and the second component comprise an integrated component. In one embodiment, the first component and the second component are detachable. In an embodiment, the second component comprises a receptacle configured to receive at least part of the compatible paintball magazine. In one embodiment, the receptacle comprises an internal width of less than two inches. In an embodiment, the receptacle comprises an internal height of less than three inches. In one embodiment, the receptacle comprises a plurality of corners. In an embodiment, at least one corner from the plurality of corners comprises an angle less than ninety degrees. In one embodiment, at least one corner form the plurality of corners is rounded. In an embodiment, the receptacle comprises a space between at least one of the plurality of corners and the compatible paintball magazine when the at least part of the compatible paintball magazine is inserted into the receptacle.

In one embodiment, at least one interior wall of the receptacle comprises a protrusion. In an embodiment, the protrusion is about 0.1 mm thick. In one embodiment, the protrusion comprises at least one of a circle, a square, a sump, or a raised line. In an embodiment, the protrusion comprises a raised line having a width and a length, the length being at least three times that of the width. In one embodiment, a first interior wall of the receptacle comprise a first protrusion and a second interior wall of the receptacle comprises a second protrusion. In an embodiment, the device comprises an overall width of approximately two inches, an overall height of approximately two inches, and an overall depth of approximately three inches.

In one embodiment, a magazine-fed paintball gun comprises a detachable paintball magazine, a device, a barrel, a piston, and an opening. In an embodiment, the detachable paintball magazine is configured to hold a plurality of paintballs. In an embodiment, the device comprises a receptacle or a chamber, or both. The receptacle can be configured to receive at least part of the detachable paintball magazine. In one embodiment, the opening is located between the barrel and the piston. In an embodiment, at least part of the chamber of the device is configured to be attached with the opening. In an embodiment, when the at least part of the detachable paintball magazine is inserted into the receptacle of the device and the magazine-fed paintball gun is operational, the detachable paintball magazine is at least substantially parallel to the barrel.

In an embodiment, the device is integrated into the magazine-fed paintball gun. In one embodiment, the device is attachable to and detachable from the magazine-fed paintball gun. In an embodiment, a first overall width of the magazine-fed paintball gun when the at least part of the detachable paintball magazine is inserted into the receptacle of the device and the magazine-fed paintball gun is operational is less than two inches wider than a second overall width of the magazine-fed paintball gun when the detachable paintball magazine is detached from the receptacle of the device. In one embodiment, a first overall height of the magazine-fed paintball gun when the at least part of the detachable paintball magazine is inserted into the receptacle of the device and the magazine-fed paintball gun is operational is less than two inches taller than a second overall height of the magazine-fed paintball gun when the detachable paintball magazine is detached from the receptacle of the device.

In an embodiment, the magazine-fed paintball gun comprises a trigger. In one embodiment, a first distance between a bottom of the trigger and a top of the detachable paintball magazine when the at least part of the detachable paintball magazine is inserted into the receptacle of the device and the magazine-fed paintball gun is operational is less than two inches different than a second distance between the bottom of the trigger and a top of the barrel. In one embodiment, at least part of the detachable paintball magazine is inserted into the receptacle of the device and the magazine-fed paintball gun is operational, a first geometric plane corresponding to the barrel does not intersect with a second geometric plane corresponding to the detachable paintball magazine. In an embodiment, the detachable paintball magazine is angled within twenty-five degrees relative to the barrel when the at least part of the detachable paintball magazine is inserted into the receptacle of the device and the magazine-fed paintball gun is operational. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein an variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In one embodiment, a method of converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun comprises detaching a hopper and a feed elbow from an opening of a paintball gun; attaching a converter to the opening of the paintball gun; and inserting at least part of a paintball magazine into a receptacle of the converter. The converter may be configured to receive paintballs from the magazine and deliver the paintballs to the paintball gun via the opening when the paintball magazine is at least partially inserted into the receptacle of the converter and the converter is attached to the paintball gun. In some embodiments, the paintball magazine is at least substantially parallel with a barrel of the paintball gun when the paintball magazine is at least partially inserted into the receptacle of the converter and the converter is attached to the paintball gun. In one embodiment, the paintball gun is less than three inches wider when the converter is attached to the paintball gun than when the hopper is attached to the paintball gun via the feed elbow. The paintball gun may be shorter when the converter is attached with the paintball gun than when the hopper is attached to the paintball gun.

In one embodiment, a first distance measured from a bottom of a trigger of the paintball gun to a top of the paintball magazine is less than two inches different than a second distance measured between the bottom of the trigger of the paintball gun to a top of a barrel of the paintball gun when the paintball magazine is at least partially inserted into the receptacle of the converter and the converter is attached to the paintball gun. In some embodiments, a first vertical plane corresponding to a barrel of the paintball gun does not intersect with a second vertical plane corresponding to the paintball magazine when the paintball magazine is at least partially inserted into the receptacle of the converter and the converter is attached to the paintball gun. In one embodiment, the converter is angled within twenty-five degrees relative to a barrel of the paintball gun when the converter is attached to the paintball gun (e.g., to an opening of the paintball gun).

In one embodiment, an interior wall of the receptacle of the converter comprises a protrusion configured to hold the paintball magazine in place when the paintball magazine is at least partially inserted into the receptacle of the converter. In some embodiments, the converter comprises a latch and at least two pins. In this embodiment, attaching the converter to the paintball gun may comprise connecting the latch and the at least two pins with the paintball gun such that a first opening in the paintball gun aligns with a second opening in the converter. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein an variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, a chamber of a converter is configured to gravity feed at least one of the plurality of paintballs from the compatible paintball magazine to the compatible paintball gun. In other embodiments, the chamber is configured to spring feed at least one of the plurality of paintballs from the compatible paintball magazine to the compatible paintball gun using a spring in the compatible paintball magazine.

These illustrative embodiments are mentioned not to limit or define the invention, but rather to provide examples to aid understanding thereof. Illustrative embodiments are discussed in the Detailed Description, which provides further description of the invention. Advantages offered by various embodiments of this invention may be further understood by examining this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more examples of embodiments and, together with the description of example embodiments, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a device for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a device for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a device for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a device for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a device for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a device for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a device for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a device for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows a device for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows a device for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 11 shows a device for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and

FIG. 12 shows a device for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments provide devices, systems, and methods for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun. Embodiments provide devices, systems, and methods for a magazine-fed paintball gun. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of example embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve specific goals, such as compliance with business-related constraints, design-related constraints, and/or existing products, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another.

Illustrative Device & Method

In embodiments, a device is configured for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun. For example, in one embodiment, a paintball gun may be configured to receive paintballs from a hopper via a feed elbow attached to the paintball gun and the hopper. In this embodiment, the hopper can be attached to and detached from the feed elbow. For example, in one embodiment, the feed elbow may have a bolt that can be tightened to attach the hopper to the feed elbow or loosened to detach the hopper from the feed elbow. In this embodiment, the hopper is detached from the feed elbow by loosening the bolt.

In embodiments, the feed elbow can be attached to and detached from the paintball gun. For example, in one embodiment, the paintball gun may have a front sight that can be depressed such that the feed elbow can be detached from the paintball gun. In this embodiment, the feed elbow is detached from the paintball gun by depressing the front sight. In other embodiments, the paintball gun may have one or more buttons, levers, and/or other release mechanisms that can be depressed, rotated, and/or titled to detach the feed elbow from the paintball gun. For example, in one embodiment, the paintball gun comprises a button located near a location where the feed elbow can be attached to the paintball gun. In this example, the feed elbow can be detached from the paintball gun by pressing the button which allows the feed elbow to be detached. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, once the hopper and/or the feed elbow have been removed from the paintball gun, a converter can be attached to the paintball gun. For example, in one embodiment, the converter can be attached to the paintball gun in the same or a similar location on the paintball gun that the feed elbow was removed. In embodiments, the converter can be attached to the paintball gun in the same or a similar manner as the feed elbow. For example, in one embodiment, the feed elbow comprises two pins that are used to attach the feed elbow to the paintball gun. In this embodiment, the converter may have two corresponding pins that can be used to attach the converter to the paintball gun. In this embodiment, if the paintball gun comprises a button that can be depressed to allow the feed elbow to be detached from the paintball gun and the feed elbow comprises two pins that are used to hold the feed elbow in place when attached to the paintball gun, then the converter may be configured such that it can be attached to the paintball gun in the same location as the feed elbow can be attached to the paintball gun. In this embodiment, the converter may be attached to the paintball gun in the same manner that the feed elbow can be attached to the paintball gun. For example, in one embodiment, the converter has corresponding pins that are the same distance apart as the feed elbow such that the converter can be attached to the paintball gun in the same way that the feed elbow can be attached to the paintball gun. In addition, in this embodiment, the converter may be detached from the paintball gun in the same manner that the feed elbow can be detached from the paintball gun. For example, in one embodiment, if a button on the paintball gun can be depressed to detach the feed elbow from the paintball gun, then the button on the paintball gun can be depressed to detach the converter from the paintball gun. In this way, in embodiments, modifications to the paintball gun may be eliminated or minimized in order to adapt the paintball gun from a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, once the converter has been attached to the paintball gun, a paintball magazine can be attached to the converter. For example, in one embodiment, a paintball magazine can be inserted into a receptacle of the converter. In this embodiment, the paintball magazine may be held in place within the receptacle of the converter by friction between the paintball magazine and the converter. In embodiments, one or more interior walls of the receptacle of the converter may be angled such that the paintball magazine fits snugly within the receptacle. In other embodiments, one or more protrusions or otherwise uneven surfaces may extend from one or more interior walls of the receptacle of the converter such that the paintball magazine can be inserted into the receptacle of the converter and removed with a desired amount of force. For example, in one embodiment, the left interior wall of the receptacle of the converter and the right interior wall of the receptacle of the converter each have a raised portion to allow the paintball magazine to be easily inserted into the receptacle and to allow the paintball magazine to fit tightly within the receptacle such that the paintball magazine is not detached from the converter during normal paintball play unless a user of the paintball gun applies an appropriate amount of force to remove the paintball magazine. In other embodiments, the paintball magazine can be attached to and/or detached from the converter in any number of ways including, but not limited to, screws, pins, bolts, latches, friction, etc. In yet other embodiments, the paintball magazine may be attached to the converter before the converter is attached to the paintball gun. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, once the converter has been attached to the paintball gun and the paintball magazine has been attached to the converter, then the paintball gun can be operated as a magazine-fed paintball gun. For example, in one embodiment, a user can pull a trigger on the paintball gun to shoot a paintball. In embodiments, a paintball in the paintball magazine can be fed into the paintball gun through the converter. For example, in one embodiment, the paintball magazine holds a plurality of paintballs. In this embodiment, a paintball in the paintball magazine can be fed to the paintball gun through a hollow chamber in the converter. In this embodiment, the hollow chamber of the converter is configured to receive a paintball from the paintball magazine. In embodiments, the paintball can be fed into the paintball gun in any number of ways. For example, in one embodiment, a paintball can be gravity fed into the paintball gun. In this embodiment, part of the chamber of the converter may be angled downward to allow a paintball to roll into the paintball gun. In other embodiments, a spring or other force-feed mechanism can be used to feed paintballs into the paintball gun though a chamber of the converter. In some embodiments, one or more of the paintballs in a paintball magazine can be spring-fed into the paintball gun through the chamber of the converter and one or more of the paintballs in the paintball magazine can be gravity-fed into the paintball gun through the chamber of the converter. For example, in one embodiment, a paintball magazine can hold ten paintballs. In this embodiment, the first eight paintballs may be fed from the paintball magazine through the chamber of the converter into the paintball gun using a spring in the paintball magazine. In this embodiment, the last two paintballs may be gravity-fed from the chamber of the converter into the paintball gun. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, once the converter has been attached to the paintball gun and the paintball magazine has been attached to the converter, the paintball magazine may be substantially parallel with at least part of the paintball gun. For example, in one embodiment, the converter is configured to attach to the paintball gun such that when the paintball magazine is inserted into a receptacle of the converter the paintball magazine is parallel with a barrel of the paintball gun. In other embodiments, when the converter is attached to the paintball gun and the paintball magazine is attached to the converter, then the paintball magazine is at an angle relative to a barrel and/or a stock of the paintball gun. For example, in one embodiment, the paintball magazine may be angled five degrees relative to the barrel of the paintball gun. As another example, in one embodiment, the paintball magazine may be angled five degrees relative to the stock of the paintball gun. In other embodiments, the paintball magazine may be angled zero, five, ten, twenty-five, thirty, or forty-five degrees or any other desired angle relative to the barrel and/or stock of the paintball gun. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

This illustrative example is given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein. The invention is not limited to this example. The following sections describe various additional non-limiting embodiments and examples of devices, systems, and methods converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun. The following sections also describe various non-limiting embodiments and examples of devices, systems, and methods of a magazine-fed paintball gun.

Illustrative Devices & Embodiments

Referring now to FIGS. 1-12, these figures show aspects of illustrative devices for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun in accordance with various embodiments. In embodiments, a converter 100 configured for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun can be attached to a paintball gun 104. For example, in one embodiment, the exterior of the converter 106 can be shaped such that part of the converter 100 fits against and attaches with the paintball gun 104. In embodiments, the converter 100 configured for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun comprises a receptacle 108 configured to receive a paintball magazine 102. For example, in one embodiment, the receptacle 108 is configured such that a paintball magazine 102 can fit at least partially within the receptacle 108 of the converter 100. In this embodiment, the fit between the paintball magazine 102 and one or more walls of the receptacle 108 is tight such that the paintball magazine 102 can be held in place within the receptacle 108 without any screws, bolts, etc. In this embodiment, the paintball magazine 102 may be held in place while being used with the paintball gun 104 but can easily be replaced by a user, such as to replace an empty paintball magazine 102 with another full paintball magazine 102. In embodiments, once a hopper and/or a feed elbow has been removed from a paintball gun 104 and replaced with a converter 100 by attaching the converter 100 to the paintball gun 104 and once a paintball magazine 102 has been attached to the converter 100, the paintball gun 104 may be used as a magazine-fed paintball gun instead of a hopper-fed paintball gun. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, the overall dimensions of a converter 100 can vary based on any number of business and/or design constraints including, but not limited to, the paintball gun(s) 104 that the converter 100 is compatible with and/or the paintball magazine(s) 102 that the converter 100 is compatible with. In one embodiment, the overall dimensions of the converter 100 is approximately 2″ wide by 2⅞″ deep without pins and/or 3 3/16″ deep with pins by 1 15/16″ tall. In other embodiments, the overall dimensions of the width, depth, and/or height can be greater and/or lesser than these dimensions. For example, in one embodiment, the overall dimensions of the converter 100 is approximately 2.5″ wide by 6″ deep by 2.5″ tall. In yet other embodiments the overall dimensions may be between ½″ and 4″ wide, between 1¼″ and 12″ deep, and between ¾″ and 4″ tall. In some embodiments, the overall dimensions of the converter 100 can be any suitable dimensions as long as the converter 100 can be operably attached with a paintball gun 104 and a paintball magazine 102. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, a converter 100 for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun can be made of any number of suitable materials. In one embodiment, the converter 100 is made entirely of plastic. In other embodiments, the converter 100 can be made at least partially of plastic. In yet other embodiments, the converter 100 can be made of one or more plastics, steel, aluminum, composite materials, carbon fiber, rubber, other suitable materials, and/or a combination thereof. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, a converter 100 for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun can be a single integrated unit. For example, in one embodiment, the converter 100 is a single integrated unit that can be attached to a paintball gun 104 and defines a receptacle 108 for receiving a paintball magazine 102. In this embodiment, the converter 100 does not have any moving parts. In other embodiments, the converter 100 may have one or more moving parts. For example, the converter 100 can have a spring mechanism configured to feed paintballs received from a paintball magazine 102 through a chamber 110 of the converter 100 and into a paintball gun 104. In yet other embodiments, the converter 100 can have one or more detachable parts. For example, in one embodiment, the converter 100 has a latch 146 and/or one or more pins for attaching the converter 100 to a paintball gun 104. In this embodiment, the latch 146 and/or the one or more pins can be detachable from the converter 100. For example, in one embodiment, if the converter 100 comprises a detachable latch 146, then the detachable latch 146 may be attached to the converter 100 using one or more bolts, screws, etc. As another example, in one embodiment, if the converter 100 comprises a detachable pin, then the detachable pin may be attached to the converter 100 by inserting the pin into a hole 112 in the converter 100 configured to receive the pin. In this embodiment, the pin may be held in place by friction and/or by pressing against another component in a paintball gun 104 when the converter 100 is attached to the paintball gun 104. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-12, in embodiments, the converter 100 is configured to attach with one or more paintball magazines 102. For example, in one embodiment, the converter 100 is configured to attach with a particular paintball magazine 102. In other embodiments, the converter 100 is configured to attached with a plurality of different paintball magazines. As shown in FIGS. 1-12, the converter 100 can comprise a receptacle 108. The receptacle 108 can be configured to receive a paintball magazine 102. In embodiments, the receptacle 108 is sized such that at least part of a paintball magazine 102 can be inserted into the receptacle 108 of the converter 100. For example, the interior dimensions of the receptacle 108 of the converter 106 may be sized such that it is slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of a magazine so that the paintball magazine 102 can fit at least partially within the receptacle 108. In this embodiment, the paintball magazine 102 may be held in place within the receptacle 108 via friction. For example, in one embodiment, the size of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 is configured such that a paintball magazine 102 can be inserted into the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 using an appropriate amount of force but the paintball magazine 102 will not fall out of the receptacle 108 unless physically removed from the receptacle 108. In other embodiments, a converter 100 can be configured to be attached with a paintball magazine 102 in any number of ways, including but not limited to, using bolts, screws, friction, mating connectors, etc. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, one or more interior walls of the receptacle can be configured with one or more protrusions 120, 124. For example, in an embodiment, one or more protrusions 120, 124 on one or more interior walls of the receptacle 108 can be designed to firmly hold a paintball magazine 102 in place but still allow a user to remove the paintball magazine 102 from the receptacle 108 when needed, such as to replace the paintball magazine 102 with another paintball magazine 102 when it is empty. In one embodiment, a first interior side wall 118 of the receptacle comprises a first protrusion 120 and a second interior side wall 122 opposite the first interior side wall 118 of the receptacle 108 comprises a second protrusion 124. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 120 and/or the second protrusion 124 may be approximately 0.2 mm in height. Moreover, in this embodiment, if the first protrusion 120 is on the left interior side wall of the receptacle 108 and the second protrusion 124 is on the right interior side wall of the receptacle 108 and the first and second protrusions 120, 124 are each 0.2 mm, then the interior width of the receptacle 108 may be approximately 0.39-0.4 mm wider than the width of a paintball magazine 102 that the converter 100 is configured to receive. In this way, in this embodiment, the paintball magazine 102 can fit within the receptacle 108 of the converter and is held in place by the first protrusion 120 and/or the second protrusion 124. In one embodiment, a protrusion 120, 124 is approximately 0.1 mm wide by 0.1 mm tall. In this embodiment, the depth of the protrusion 120, 124 along an interior wall of the receptacle 108 can be 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, or any other suitable dimension. In yet other embodiments, one or more protrusions 120, 124 can be on one, two, three, or four of the interior walls of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100. In still other embodiments, one or more protrusions 120, 124 in the receptacle 108 can have any number of suitable shapes and/or sizes including, but not limited to, circles, bumps, squares, lines, etc. In various embodiments, one or more protrusions 120, 124 may be symmetrically defined between at least two interior side walls of the receptacle 108. In other embodiments, one or more protrusions 120, 124 can be non-symmetrically defined on one or more interior walls of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 can be any number of suitable sizes as long as the receptacle 108 can receive a compatible paintball magazine 102. For example, in one embodiment, the interior opening of the receptacle 108 has a width of approximately 15/16″ and a height of approximately 1 11/16″. In this embodiment, the thickness of the left wall 114 is approximately 1/16″, the thickness of the right wall 116 is approximately 1/16″, the thickness of the top wall 113 is approximately ⅛″, and the thickness of the bottom wall 115 is approximately ⅛″. Thus, in this embodiment, the outer dimensions of the receptacle 108 is approximately 1 1/16″ wide by 1 11/16″ high. In this embodiment, the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 may be configured to receive a paintball magazine 102 having an outer width of approximately between 13/16″ and 15/16″ and an outer height of approximately between 1½″ and 1 11/16″. In various embodiments, the interior and/or exterior dimensions of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 and/or the thickness of one or more walls 113-116 of the receptacle can be larger or smaller than the dimensions described in the above embodiment. For example, in embodiments, one or more walls 113-116 of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 can be 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, or any other suitable thickness. In some embodiments, the thickness of each of the walls 113-116 of the receptacle 108 can be the same. For example, the left wall 114, right wall 116, top wall 113, and bottom wall 115 may each be 1 mm thick in accordance with an embodiment. In other embodiments, the thickness of one or more walls 113-116 of the receptacle 108 can vary. For example, in one embodiment, the left wall 114 may be 1 mm thick, the right wall 116 may be 2 mm thick, the bottom wall 115 may be 3 mm thick, and the top wall 113 may be 4 mm think. In embodiments, the depth of a receptacle 108 can be any number of suitable depths. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, a receptacle 108 can have any number of suitable depth. For example, in one embodiment, the receptacle 108 of a converter 100 has a depth of approximately 1 7/16″. In some embodiments, a receptacle 108 can have more than one depth. For example, in one embodiment, the receptacle 108 has a depth of approximately 1 3/16″ near the bottom interior wall of the receptacle 108 and a depth of approximately 1 7/16″ near the top interior wall of the receptacle 108. In this embodiment, the back of the receptacle 126 of the converter 100 can be angled such that paintballs from a paintball magazine 102 are directed towards the opening of a chamber 110 located towards the top and back of the receptacle 108. The opening of the chamber 110 can be sized such that a paintball from a compatible paintball magazine 102 can be fed into the chamber 110. In this way, in embodiments, paintballs can be fed from the paintball magazine 102 into the opening of the chamber 110, and through the chamber 110 into a paintball gun 104. Thus, in embodiments, one or more angled or otherwise slanted portions of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 can be used to force paintballs into the opening of the chamber 110. In other embodiments, the depth(s) of a receptacle 108 of a converter 100 can be any number of suitable depths, including but not limited to, 0.5″, 1″, 1.5″, 2″, 3″, 4″, 5″, a depth between 0.5″ and 5″, a depth greater than 5″, or any other desired depth as long as the converter can be attached with a compatible paintball magazine 102. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, a shape of the opening of a receptacle 108 of the converter 100 can be any suitable shape. For example, in one embodiment, the opening of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 is rectangular. In other embodiments, the opening of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 can be substantially rectangular. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-12, in embodiments, the bottom left corner 128 and bottom right corner 130 of the opening of the receptacle 108 are each approximately 90 degrees. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1-12, in embodiments, the top left corner 129 and top right corner 131 of the opening of the receptacle can each be angled. For example, in one embodiment, the angle of the top left corner 129 and/or top right corner 131 of the opening of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 is approximately 45 degrees. In some embodiments, each of the corners 128-131 of the opening of the receptacle 108 is 90 degrees. In other embodiments, one or more corners 128-131 of the opening of the receptacle 108 may be angled. For example, in one embodiment, each of the top left corner 129 and top right corner 131 of the opening of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 has a first angle, and each of the bottom left corner 128 and bottom right corner 130 of the opening of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 has a second angle. In other embodiments, each of the corners 128-131 of the opening of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 can have a same angle. In yet other embodiments, each of the corners 128-131 of the opening of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 can have different angles. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, the entire opening of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 is filled when a compatible paintball magazine 102 is inserted into the receptacle 108 of the converter 100. For example, in one embodiment, the opening of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 is designed such that it has the same shape of a compatible paintball magazine 102. In this embodiment, when the compatible paintball magazine 102 is inserted into the receptacle 108 of the converter 100, there is little or no space between the perimeter of the opening of the receptacle 108 and the exterior of the compatible paintball magazine 102. In other embodiments, there can be space between at least part of the perimeter of the opening of the receptacle 108 and the exterior of the compatible paintball magazine 102. For example, if each of the corners 128-131 of the receptacle 108 of the converter 100 is 90 degrees and a compatible paintball magazine 102 has a rounded top, then in this embodiment there may be space between the exterior of the compatible paintball magazine 102 and the top corners 129, 131 of the opening of the receptacle 108 when the compatible paintball magazine 102 is inserted into the receptacle 108 of the converter 100. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-12, in embodiments, the converter 100 can comprise one or more chambers 110 configured to receive one or more paintballs from a paintball magazine 102 and send one or more paintballs into a paintball gun 104. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-12, in embodiments, the converter 100 can comprise a chamber 110 that has an opening configured to receive a paintball from a paintball magazine 102. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1-12, in embodiments, the opening of the chamber 110 can be located towards the top of the converter 100. For example, in one embodiment, the opening of the chamber 110 is located towards the top of the interior of the receptacle 108 configured to receive a paintball magazine 102. The opening can be any number of suitable shapes or sizes as long as a desired paintball can fit through the opening. For example, in one embodiment, the opening of the chamber 110 is round and sized slightly larger than a compatible paintball that can be used in a paintball magazine 102 compatible with the converter 100. In other embodiments, the opening of the chamber 110 may be oblong, triangular, irregular, or any other suitable shape and/or size. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, the chamber 110 of the converter 100 is at least partially hollow such that a paintball can be received via the opening of the chamber 110, travel through the chamber 110, and exit the chamber 110 into an attached paintball gun 104. For example, in one embodiment, the chamber 110 of the converter 100 comprises a first opening 132 configured to receive a paintball from a paintball magazine 102 and a second opening 134 configured to allow the paintball to exit the chamber 110 of the converter 100 into a paintball gun 104. In embodiments, a paintball can be fed through a chamber 110 of the converter 100 and into a paintball gun 104 in any number of ways. For example, in one embodiment, the converter 100 comprises a spring that is used to force a paintball received through a first opening 132 in the chamber 110 out of the chamber 110 through a second opening 134. As another example, in one embodiment, the converter 100 feeds one or more paintballs through the chamber 110 using gravity. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-12, in embodiments, a first opening 132 of the chamber 110 of the converter 100 is configured to receive a paintball from a paintball magazine 102 located higher than a second opening 134 of the chamber 110 in which the paintball exits the chamber 110. In this embodiment, a paintball may be gravity-fed through the chamber 110 and out of the second opening 134. As shown in FIGS. 1-12, the chamber 110 of the converter 100 can be configured such that one or more walls of the chamber 110 is angled in a downward direction so that paintballs can easily exit the second opening 134 of the chamber 110. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein an variations are with the scope of this disclosure.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-12, in embodiments, a converter 100 can be attached with a paintball gun 104 in any number of ways. As shown in FIGS. 1-12, in embodiments, a converter 100 comprises a latch 146 for attaching the converter 100 with a compatible paintball gun 104. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1-12, in embodiments, a converter 100 can have one or more protrusions 136 for attaching the converter 100 with a compatible paintball gun 104. For example, in FIGS. 1-12, in embodiments, the converter comprises two protrusions 136. In this embodiment, each protrusion 136 defines a hole 112 configured to receive a pin. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the pins are inserted into the holes 112 of the protrusions 136, the converter 100 can be attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 and the pins and protrusions 136 assist with attaching the converter 100 to the compatible paintball gun 104. In various embodiments, a converter 100 can comprise one or more latches 146 and/or one or more protrusions 136 configured to attach the converter 100 with a compatible paintball gun 104. In other embodiments, a converter 100 can be glued, taped, tied, or otherwise secured to a compatible paintball gun 104. In some embodiments, the converter 100 comprises one or more screws and/or bolts that can be used to attach the converter 100 to a compatible paintball gun 104. In yet other embodiments, a converter 100 can be attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 based at least in part on the design of the compatible paintball gun 104. For example, a converter 100 can have a mating connector, latch 146, opening, and/or other adapter configured to allow the converter 100 to attach with a compatible paintball gun 104. As another example, a converter 100 can be designed such that it is shaped to fit with a compatible paintball gun 104. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-12, in embodiments, at least part of the exterior 138 of the converter 100 is curved such that the converter 100 can attach with a compatible paintball gun 104. In some embodiments, a converter 100 can be attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 using friction between the converter 100 and the compatible paintball gun 104. In this embodiment, the converter 100 can be attached to and/or detached from a compatible paintball gun 104 using an appropriate amount of force without having to press or otherwise activate a release mechanism. In other embodiments, the converter 100 can be detached from a compatible paintball gun 104 by pressing a release mechanism on the compatible paintball gun 104. In yet other embodiments, the converter 100 can be detached from a compatible paintball gun 104 by pressing a release mechanism on the converter 100. Any number of paintball guns can be a compatible paintball gun 104 in various embodiments. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, a converter 100 is designed such that when the converter 100 is attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 and a compatible paintball magazine 102, the compatible paintball magazine 102 has a particular orientation with respect to the compatible paintball gun 104. For example, in one embodiment, when the converter 100 is attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 and a compatible paintball magazine 102, the compatible paintball magazine 102 extends from the converter 100 towards a stock and/or a piston of the paintball gun 104. In this embodiment, the compatible paintball magazine 102 may extend towards a user of the paintball gun 104 when the user is holding the paintball gun 104 in a conventional manner. In this embodiment, the compatible paintball magazine 102 may extend away from an end of the barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104 where paintballs exit the paintball gun 104.

In some embodiments, the compatible paintball magazine 102 can be parallel with a barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104. In one embodiment, there is substantially the same width of separation between the barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 along a length of the compatible paintball magazine 102. Thus, if a compatible paintball magazine 102 is 2″×10″×1″ then in one embodiment, the width of separation between the barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 may be same along most, if not all, of the 10 inches of the compatible paintball magazine 102. For example, in one embodiment, the width is 1″. In other embodiments, the width can be 0.5″, 1″, 2″, 3″, or another suitable width. Thus, in an embodiment, the converter 100 is configured such that it can be attached to a compatible paintball gun 104 and, when a compatible paintball magazine 102 is inserted into a receptacle 108 of the converter 100, the compatible paintball magazine 102 is parallel and/or at least substantially parallel with the barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104. In other embodiments, the converter 100 is configured such that it can be attached to a compatible paintball gun 104 and, when a compatible paintball magazine 102 is inserted into a receptacle 108 of the converter 100, the compatible paintball magazine 102 is parallel and/or at least substantially parallel with a stock 142 of the paintball gun 104. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, the compatible paintball magazine 102 can be substantially parallel with the paintball gun 104, the barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104, and/or the stock 142 of the paintball gun 104. For example, the converter 100 can be configured to position the paintball magazine 102 in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the paintball gun 104, the barrel 140, and/or the stock 142. For instance, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the converter 100 can rotate the paintball magazine 102 and/or hold (e.g., lock) the paintball magazine 102 at an angle in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the paintball gun 104, barrel 140, and/or stock 142. In some embodiments, a plane may be substantially parallel to a plane of the paintball gun 104, barrel 140, and/or stock 142 if the plane within 10 degrees of the plane of the paintball gun 104, barrel 140, and/or stock 142. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In yet other embodiments, when a converter 100 is attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 and a compatible paintball magazine 102, the compatible paintball magazine 102 extends from the converter 100 towards a barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104. In this embodiment, the compatible paintball magazine 101 may extend toward an end of the barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104 where paintballs exit the paintball gun 104. Moreover, in this embodiment, the compatible paintball magazine 102 can be parallel with a barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104. For example, in one embodiment, there is substantially the same width of separation between the barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 along a length of the compatible paintball magazine 102. Thus, if a compatible paintball magazine 102 is 2″×10″×1″ then in one embodiment, the width of separation between the barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 may be the same along most, if not all, of the 10 inches of the compatible paintball magazine 102. For example, in one embodiment, the width is 1″. In other embodiments, the width can be 0.5″, 1″, 2″, 3″, or another suitable width. Thus, in an embodiment, the converter 100 is configured such that it can be attached to a compatible paintball gun 104 and, when a compatible paintball magazine 102 is inserted into a receptacle 108 of the converter 100, the compatible paintball magazine 102 is parallel and/or at least substantially parallel with the barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104. In other embodiments, the converter 100 is configured such that it can be attached to a compatible paintball gun 104 and, when a compatible paintball magazine 102 is inserted into a receptacle 108 of the converter 100, the compatible paintball magazine 102 is parallel and/or at least substantially parallel with a stock 142 of the paintball gun 104. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, the converter 100 can be configured such that when the converter 100 is attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 and a compatible paintball magazine 102, the compatible paintball magazine 102 is at least substantially parallel with at least one of a piston and/or a barrel 140 of the compatible paintball gun 104. In this embodiment, the converter 100 can be configured such that the compatible paintball magazine 102 is angled relative to the barrel 140 and/or the stock 142 of the compatible paintball gun 104. For example, the converter 100 can be configured such that the compatible paintball magazine 102 has a twenty degree angle relative to the barrel 140 of the compatible paintball gun 104. In this example, at least parts of the compatible paintball magazine 102 may extend above the top of the barrel 140 and/or below the top of a stock 142 of the compatible paintball gun 104 depending on whether the twenty degree angle is upwards (e.g., positive twenty degrees) relative to the barrel 140 of the compatible paintball gun 104 or downwards (e.g., negative twenty degrees) relative to the barrel 140 of the compatible paintball gun 104. In various embodiments, an angle between a barrel 140 of a compatible paintball gun 104 and a compatible paintball magazine 102 may be between 0 degrees and 60 degrees. In some embodiments, an angle between a barrel 140 of a compatible paintball gun 104 and a compatible paintball magazine 102 is between 0 and 20 degrees. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, the converter 100 and/or the compatible paintball magazine 102 may not extend above the top of the barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104. In an embodiment, the converter 100 and/or the compatible paintball magazine 102 may not extend below a bottom of a trigger 144 of the compatible paintball gun 104. In an embodiment, the converter 100 and/or the compatible paintball magazine 102 may not extend below a bottom of the stock 142 of the compatible paintball gun 104. In some embodiments, the converter 100 and/or the compatible paintball magazine 102 may be slightly above a top of a barrel 140 of a compatible paintball gun 104. For example, in one embodiment, the top of the converter 100 and/or the top of the compatible paintball magazine 102 may be less than 2″ above the top of the barrel 140 of the compatible paintball gun 104. In other embodiments, the top of the converter 100 and/or the top of the compatible paintball magazine 102 may be less than 6″, 5″, 4″, 3″, 2″, 1″, 0.5″ or less above the top of the barrel 140 of the compatible paintball gun 104. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, a converter 100 is configured such that a compatible paintball magazine 102 does not attach to the converter 100 in a manner that would allow the compatible paintball magazine 102 to be perpendicular and/or substantially perpendicular to a side of a compatible paintball gun 104. In one embodiment, a converter 100 is configured such that a compatible paintball magazine 102 is not more than 45 degrees away from the side of a barrel 140 and/or a stock 142 of a compatible paintball gun 104. For example, in an embodiment, if a paintball magazine 102 were 90 degrees away from the side of a barrel 140 and/or a stock 142 of a paintball gun 104, then the paintball magazine 102 would be perpendicular to the barrel 140 and/or the stock 142. In this example, the paintball magazine 102 could hinder a user's movement when using a paintball gun 104 because the magazine 102 could extend much further than the width of the paintball gun 104 when the paintball magazine 102 was not attached. Thus, in embodiments, by configuring the converter 100 such that a compatible paintball magazine 102 is less than a certain number of degrees away from a barrel 140 and/or a stock 142 of a compatible paintball gun 104, the converter 100 can allow the overall structure of the compatible paintball gun 104, the converter 100, and the compatible paintball magazine 102 to be compact. In some embodiments, such a design can allow a user to more easily navigate through terrain and/or allow overall structure to be easily moved. For example, in one embodiment, the overall width of the compatible paintball gun 104, the converter 100, and the compatible paintball magazine 102 is no more than 6″ wider when the converter 100 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 are attached to the paintball gun 104 than when the converter 100 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 are detached from the paintball gun 104. In other embodiments, the overall width of the compatible paintball gun 104, the converter 100, and the compatible paintball magazine 102 is no more than 3″ wider when the converter 100 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 are attached to the paintball gun 104 than when the converter 100 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 are detached from the paintball gun 104. In yet other embodiments the overall width of the compatible paintball gun 104, the converter 100, and the compatible paintball magazine 102 is between 0.5″ and 7″ wider when the converter 100 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 are attached to the paintball gun 104 than when the converter 100 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 are detached from the paintball gun 104. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, the overall height of the compatible paintball gun 104, the converter 100, and the compatible paintball magazine 102 is no more than 4″ taller when the converter 100 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 are attached to the paintball gun 104 than when the converter 100 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 are detached from the paintball gun 104. In other embodiments, the overall height of the compatible paintball gun 104, the converter 100, and the compatible paintball magazine 102 is no more than 2″ taller when the converter 100 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 are attached to the paintball gun 104 than when the converter 100 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 are detached from the paintball gun 104. In yet other embodiments, the overall height of the compatible paintball gun 104, the converter 100, and the compatible paintball magazine 102 is between 0″ and 4″ taller when the converter 100 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 are attached to the paintball gun 104 than when the converter 100 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 are detached from the paintball gun 104. In yet other embodiments, the height between a trigger 144 and a barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104 is the same as or less than the height between the trigger 144 and a compatible paintball magazine 102 when the compatible paintball magazine 102 is attached to the magazine-fed paintball gun. In some embodiments, the height between a trigger 144 of a paintball gun 104 and a compatible paintball magazine 102 when the compatible paintball magazine 102 is attached to the converter 100 is not more than 0.5″, 1″, 2″, 3″, etc. more than the height between the trigger 144 and a barrel 140 of the paintball gun 104. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In one embodiment, the converter 100 is configured such that when the converter 100 is attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 and a compatible paintball magazine 102, a geometric plane corresponding to the compatible paintball magazine 102 does not intersect with a geometric plane corresponding to a barrel 140 of the compatible paintball gun 104. In other embodiments, the converter 100 is configured such that when the converter 100 is attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 and a compatible paintball magazine 102, a geometric plane corresponding to the compatible paintball magazine 102 intersects with a geometric plane corresponding to a barrel 140 of the compatible paintball gun 104. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, the converter 100 can be attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 at any number of suitable locations. For example, a compatible paintball gun 104 may have an opening towards a top of the paintball gun 104 and, in this embodiment, the converter 100 may be attached to the compatible paintball gun 104 at the opening. In various embodiments, when the converter 100 is attached with a compatible paintball gun 104, the a compatible paintball magazine 102 can be attached in any number of locations. For example, in one embodiment, when a converter 100 is attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 and a compatible paintball magazine 102 is attached with the converter 100, the compatible paintball magazine 102 extends along a right-hand side of the compatible paintball gun 104. In another embodiment, when a converter 100 is attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 and a compatible paintball magazine 102 is attached with the converter 100, the compatible paintball magazine 102 extends along a left-hand side of the compatible paintball gun 104. In yet another embodiment, when a converter 100 is attached with a compatible paintball gun 104 and a compatible paintball magazine 102 is attached with the converter 100, the compatible paintball magazine 102 extends along a top of the paintball gun 104. In various embodiments, a compatible paintball magazine 102 can extend towards and/or away from various components of a compatible paintball gun 104 when a converter 100 is attached with the compatible paintball gun 104 and the compatible paintball magazine 102 is attached with the converter 100. For example, in one embodiment, the compatible paintball magazine 102 extends from the converter 100 towards a barrel 140 of the compatible paintball gun 104. In another embodiment, the compatible paintball magazine 102 extends from the converter 100 towards a piston in the compatible paintball gun 104. In yet another embodiment, the compatible paintball magazine 102 extends from the converter 100 towards a stock 142 of the compatible paintball gun 104. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In various embodiments, fewer or additional components can be included in a paintball gun 104, a paintball magazine 102, and/or a converter 100. For example, in one embodiment, a paintball gun 104 comprises a stock 142. In another embodiment, a paintball gun 104 may not comprise a stock 142. As another example, in one embodiment, a converter 100 may comprise a spring configured to assist paintballs through a chamber 110 and into a paintball gun 104. In other embodiments, a converter 100 may not comprise a spring configured to assist paintballs through a chamber 110 and into a paintball gun 104. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

Illustrative Magazine-Fed Paintball Gun

As discussed above, devices, systems, and methods of converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun are disclosed herein. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for a magazine-fed paintball gun. In one embodiment, the magazine-fed paintball gun has one or more attributes discussed above with respect to a compatible paintball gun, a converter, and a compatible paintball magazine. For example, in one embodiment, a magazine-fed paintball gun comprises a barrel and a piston. In this embodiment, the magazine-fed paintball gun comprises an opening located between the barrel and the piston of the paintball gun. The opening can be configured to receive at least one paintball. In this embodiment, a device can be attached to and detached from the paintball gun. In one embodiment, this device is the same or similar to embodiments of the converter discussed above. For example, in one embodiment, the device can be attached to a compatible paintball gun and can be attached to a compatible paintball magazine. As another example, in one embodiment, the device can comprise a receptacle configured to receive a paintball magazine. In other embodiments, the device can be integrated into the paintball gun such that it cannot be attached to or detached from the paintball gun. In this embodiment, the device may be attached to and/or detached from a paintball magazine. For example, the device may have receptacle configured to receive a paintball magazine. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

In embodiments, a magazine-fed paintball gun has one or more attributes discussed above with respect to a compatible paintball gun, a converter, and a compatible paintball magazine. For example, in one embodiment, the magazine-fed paintball gun is configured such that a compatible paintball magazine, when inserted, is at least substantially parallel to a barrel of the magazine-fed paintball gun. In one embodiment, the overall width of the magazine-fed paintball gun does not increase when the compatible paintball magazine is inserted into the paintball gun than when the compatible paintball magazine is not inserted in the paintball gun. In embodiments, the overall width of the magazine-fed paintball gun may be less than 1″, 2″, 3″, etc. wider when the compatible paintball magazine is inserted in the paintball gun than when the compatible paintball magazine is not inserted in the paintball gun.

In one embodiment, the overall height of the magazine-fed paintball gun does not increase when the compatible paintball magazine is inserted into the paintball gun than when the compatible paintball magazine is not inserted in the paintball gun. In embodiments, the overall height of the magazine-fed paintball gun may be less than 1″, 2″, 3″, etc. taller when the compatible paintball magazine is inserted in the paintball gun than when the compatible paintball magazine is not inserted in the paintball gun. In yet other embodiments, the height between a trigger and a barrel of the magazine-fed paintball gun is the same as or less than the height between the trigger and a compatible paintball magazine when the compatible paintball magazine is attached to the magazine-fed paintball gun. In some embodiments, the height between the trigger and a compatible paintball magazine when the compatible paintball magazine is attached to the magazine-fed paintball gun is not more than 0.5″, 1″, 2″, 3″, etc. more than the height between the trigger and a barrel of the magazine-fed paintball gun. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed herein and variations are within the scope of this disclosure.

General

The foregoing description of some embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications and adaptations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, operation, or other characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one implementation of the invention. The invention is not restricted to the particular embodiments described as such. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Any particular feature, structure, operation, or other characteristic described in this specification in relation to “one embodiment” may be combined with other features, structures, operations, or other characteristics described in respect of any other embodiment. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method of converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun, comprising: detaching a hopper and a feed elbow from an opening of a paintball gun; attaching a converter to the opening of the paintball gun; and inserting at least part of a paintball magazine into a receptacle of the converter.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the converter is configured to receive paintballs from the paintball magazine and deliver the paintballs to the paintball gun via the opening when the paintball magazine is at least partially inserted into the receptacle of the converter and the converter is attached to the paintball gun.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the paintball magazine is at least substantially parallel with a barrel of the paintball gun when the paintball magazine is at least partially inserted into the receptacle of the converter and the converter is attached to the paintball gun.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the paintball gun is less than three inches wider when the converter is attached to the paintball gun than when the hopper is attached to the paintball gun via the feed elbow.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the paintball gun is shorter when the converter is attached with the paintball gun than when the hopper is attached to the paintball gun.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein a first distance measured from a bottom of a trigger of the paintball gun to a top of the paintball magazine is less than two inches different than a second distance measured between the bottom of the trigger of the paintball gun to a top of a barrel of the paintball gun when the paintball magazine is at least partially inserted into the receptacle of the converter and the converter is attached to the paintball gun.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein a first vertical plane corresponding to a barrel of the paintball gun does not intersect with a second vertical plane corresponding to the paintball magazine when the paintball magazine is at least partially inserted into the receptacle of the converter and the converter is attached to the paintball gun.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the converter is angled within twenty-five degrees relative to a barrel of the paintball gun when the converter is attached to the opening of the paintball gun.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein an interior wall of the receptacle of the converter comprises a protrusion configured to hold the paintball magazine in place when the paintball magazine is at least partially inserted into the receptacle of the converter.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the converter comprises a latch and at least two pins, and wherein attaching the converter to the opening of the paintball gun comprises: connecting the latch and the at least two pins with the paintball gun such that the opening of the paintball gun aligns with a second opening in the converter.
 11. A converter for converting a hopper-fed paintball gun into a magazine-fed paintball gun, comprising: a component configured to attach to a compatible paintball gun at a location corresponding to where a hopper is normally attached to the compatible paintball gun; and a receptacle configured to receive at least part of a compatible paintball magazine; and a chamber configured to receive a plurality of paintballs in succession from the compatible paintball magazine and deliver the plurality of paintballs in succession to the compatible paintball gun when the compatible paintball magazine is at least partially inserted into the receptacle and the component is attached to the compatible paintball gun at the location.
 12. The converter of claim 11, wherein the location corresponds to where a feed elbow normally attaches the hopper to the compatible paintball gun.
 13. The converter of claim 11, wherein the component comprises at least one of a bolt or a screw configured to attach the converter to the compatible paintball gun at the location.
 14. The converter of claim 11, wherein the component comprises a latch configured to attach the converter to the compatible paintball gun at the location.
 15. The converter of claim 14, wherein the component further comprises at least one pin configured to attach the converter to the compatible paintball gun at the location.
 16. The converter of claim 14, wherein the component, the receptacle, and the chamber are configured such that the compatible paintball magazine is at least substantially parallel with a barrel of the compatible paintball gun when the compatible paintball magazine is at least partially inserted into the receptacle and the component is attached to the compatible paintball gun.
 17. The converter of claim 11, wherein the receptacle comprises an internal width of less than two inches and an internal height of less than three inches.
 18. The converter of claim 11, wherein the receptacle comprises a plurality of rounded corners.
 19. The converter of claim 11, wherein at least one interior wall of the receptacle comprises a protrusion approximately 0.1 mm thick.
 20. The converter of claim 11, further comprising an overall width of approximately two inches, an overall height of approximately two inches, and an overall depth of approximately three inches.
 21. The converter of claim 11, wherein the chamber is configured to gravity feed at least one of the plurality of paintballs from the compatible paintball magazine to the compatible paintball gun.
 22. The converter of claim 11, wherein the chamber is configured to spring feed at least one of the plurality of paintballs from the compatible paintball magazine to the compatible paintball gun using a spring in the compatible paintball magazine. 